Cannabis
Known locally as ganja, charas or bhang; regular use can affect motivation, mood and study or work.
Cannabis products contain compounds that alter perception, mood and coordination. Potency varies widely between preparations.
Frequent use, particularly starting in adolescence, can lead to a pattern that is difficult to reduce, with cravings, irritability and sleep disturbance when stopping.
When it is an emergency
- Severe confusion or loss of contact with reality
- Panic that does not settle
- Chest pain or collapse
Signs worth noticing
- Daily or near-daily use
- Loss of interest in study, work or previous activities
- Increasing time spent obtaining or using
- Irritability and poor sleep when not using
Real risks
- Difficulty with attention, memory and learning
- Anxiety and, in some people, psychotic symptoms
- Respiratory irritation when smoked
- Impaired driving
When to seek help
- Use has become daily
- Study, work or relationships are affected
- Anxiety, paranoia or confusion appears during or after use
What treatment involves
- Psychological therapy, including motivational and cognitive approaches
- Assessment for co-occurring anxiety or depression
- Outpatient support where withdrawal risk is low
- Structured programmes where use is heavy and long-standing
If you are the family
- Focus the conversation on observed changes, not on the substance alone
- Involve a professional early if there are signs of confusion or paranoia
- Keep communication open rather than issuing ultimatums
What recovery looks like
- Regular follow-up with a clinician or counsellor
- Relapse-prevention planning that names specific triggers
- Peer or community support where it is available and comfortable
- Family involvement, when the person consents to it
- Attention to sleep, nutrition, work and daily routine
Questions to ask any centre
- What kind of assessment will be done before any treatment starts?
- Who provides medical care here, and what are their qualifications?
- Is withdrawal expected in this case, and how will it be managed?
- What therapies are offered, and how often?
- What does the fee include, and what is charged separately?
- What happens after discharge, and for how long?
Common questions
This guide is general education, not medical advice, and it cannot tell you what is happening in a specific person. Only a qualified clinician can assess that.